To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: 20-760-0 Purchase Order for JAWS Software from Access Ingenuity
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, on behalf of the Employment and Human Services Director, to execute a purchase order with Access Ingenuity, subject to Access Ingenuity’s End User License Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $2,154 for the purchase of JAWS, a screen reader software that supports accessibility for individuals with low or no vision, for the period April 1, 2026, through April 1, 2028.
FISCAL IMPACT:
54% Federal, 38% State, 8% County General Fund; all of which is budgeted in FY25/26.
BACKGROUND:
The Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) requires the renewal of Access Ingenuity’s Job Access with Speech (JAWS), a Windows-based screen-reader software that converts on-screen text and interface elements into speech and Braille. JAWS enables individuals who are blind or have low vision to access websites, documents, and applications independently. Maintaining this software is necessary for the America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements for customers referred by mandated partners such as the Department of Rehabilitation and Adult Education.
Although Access Ingenuity is the County’s authorized reseller, JAWS is manufactured by Freedom Scientific (Vispero). Freedom Scientific’s Terms and Conditions, which include indemnification and limitation-of-liability provisions, apply to all Software Maintenance Agreement purchases and are required to accompany this renewal for County Counsel review.
This vendor was selected per procurement requirements outlined in Administrative Bulletin 600.3.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This agreement/contract supports all five of the community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: (1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; (2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; (3) "Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient"; (4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and (5) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families,” by supporting staff working directly with families and children.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to renew the JAWS Software Maintenance Agreement will hinder access to essential services for individuals with low or no vision, affecting their independence and ability to utilize AJCC resources.